Watch: Drake Maye shakes off early exit with remarkable TD pass

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. David Butler II-Imagn Images

Watch: Patriots QB Drake Maye shakes off early exit with remarkable TD pass

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Dec 28, 2024 2:48 PM ET

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye shook off an early absence in Saturday's game against the Chargers with an incredible touchdown pass.

New England's rookie quarterback used a free play to his advantage, putting the Patriots on the board and cutting Los Angeles' lead to 10, 17-7.

Chargers outside linebacker Bud Dupree jumped offside before the play began. With five free yards in his back pocket, Maye hurled a deep ball to wide receiver DeMario Douglas as a defender charged in his direction.

Maye released the ball before being hit, and Douglas made an excellent adjustment between two Chargers defenders to make the catch before rolling into the end zone for six.

Free play Maye

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Maye left the game in the first quarter after being hit in the head. He was escorted to the locker room but returned to assemble a strong first half.

At halftime, Maye was 5-for-5 passing for 66 yards and a touchdown while adding 21 rushing yards on three carries.

The Chargers tacked on a field goal after New England's touchdown to push their lead to 13, 20-7.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was 20-of-27 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns to give Los Angeles a comfortable lead.

Amid a lost season, Maye has given the Patriots something to be excited about for the future.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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